Week 36 of 213: I want to know God’s thoughts. The rest are only details.

God‘s Equations?

Cubicle Warrior’s blog, week 36 of 213 (1,207 more days to military retirement). This week’s quote is often attributed to Albert Einstein, but I cannot confirm this. Regardless of the source, I like this quote, and it does fall in line with Albert Einstein’s thoughts on god, God, and science.

I want to know God’s thoughts. The rest are only details.

– Unknown, often attributed to Albert Einstein

#random

Wolverine as Jean Valjean

• 태권도 물리Taekwondo Physics. I started up a series discussing the physics of martial arts, focusing on what I observe in the kids’ taekwondo and backing up my conclusions with mathematical rigor. If you want to know some of the science behind martial arts, feel free to follow the series.
  • Lesson 1 summary: Intro.
  • Lesson 2 summary: Force is a product of mass and acceleration, not velocity.
  • Lesson 3a summary: A properly executed straight punch will create a force equal to the martial artist’s weight at the target.
  • Lesson 3b summary: Re-breakable boards start off being harder to break than wooden boards before settling into the rated, equivalent hardness of a wooden board, which is enough force to cause major head trauma with a well-placed strike to the head.
  • Lesson 4 summary: A martial artist must be a master of his or her own size, weight, and power.
• God’s equations? The picture above is a common one used to merge discussions of science and religion, or merely as a clever physics joke. The more common version of this joke is to simply assert Maxwell’s equations in macroscopic, differential form and QED “let there be light”, as shown below.
  • Gauss’s Law:
  • Gauss’s Law for magnetism:
  • Faraday’s Law for Induction:
  • Ampere’s Circuital Law (with Maxwell’s correction):
    • What does this tell us about God and religion? Nothing really. This does open up a much deeper discussion on God’s role in science. I hear all the time from under-educated, non-techies that scientists hate religion or that religion overrides science. There are plenty of brilliant scientists whose beliefs fall in line with religion, or whose work need not be considered counter to religion. Most non-techies are thrown off by the math, as if the math were forcing the issue. The math is just the language of discussion that cannot be biased one way or the other. The only bias comes in lack of understanding.
• Marion “Mike” F. Kilar: 14 September 1914 – 4 January 1996. It has been 17 years since my grandfather passed away. He is easily the most influential man in my life.
• Cubicle Warrior’s Movie Review: Les Misérables. Awesome movie. This one is well worth the seven days’ running time of the movie. Just make sure that if your neighbor sings along that you give him or her a stiff throat punch, especially if your neighbor is Russell Crowe. Hint: if you need to take a potty break, wait until Catwoman dies, but make it back to your seat before Wolverine gets into a sword fight using a coat rack.
• Cubicle Warrior’s Movie Review: Looper. Very good movie. This movie provides the solution to gun control. Ban all guns in the future, but send people that you want killed back in time to a time where everybody carriers blunderbusses and shoots drugs into their eyeballs! Imagine crossing Terminator with, I don’t know, every other movie that uses time travel. The difference is that this movie has a nice twist at the end–it solves the problem of gun control!

#foodspotting

Ropa Vieja, Versailles Cuban, El Segundo, CA

2011 Santa Julia Malbec

#technology

The Good: Samsung flexible phone prototype.  This phone will fit in your pocket better than that POS iPhone5 that is getting bent out of shape sitting in your pocket right now.

The Bad: iPotty. Let’s just replace moms and dads with iPads from here on out.

The Weird: WTH? Nobody will buy this, unless Apple makes it and charges everyone $500. iGlasses. Get it? iGlasses!

• Consumer Electronics Show (CES) January 8-11, 2013, Las Vegas Convention Center. The best gadgets seemed to be centered on touch screen technologies.
  • Good. Huewei introduced a competitor to the Samsung Note, the Ascend Mate. Yay! Something new for Apple to copy! Chevy previewed its MyLink and Ford previewed AppLink, each of them essentially being customized tablet computers built into the dashboard of a car. Samsung showed a prototype of the flexible phone. The Tobii Rex is a situational awareness sensor that observers your eyeballs and uses that input to guide the cursor on screen (in the military, we call that CoT, Cursor on Target). Of course, there were several iterations of the large screen television–some with better displays (Samsung 55″ OLED TV and 110″ LED TV), and some with the same displays with touchscreen control (TCL UltraSurface TV). Sony showed off its visor television, which if worn properly simulates a 150″ screen from 12′ away.
  • Bad. For those of you spoiled bitch moms that must stuff an iPad in your toddler’s face so you can watch TV, there is the iPotty for teaching your future high school dropout how to poop in a toilet. Take heed, future jailbird. It will be a lot easier to poop after a few years in jail. The HappiFork will vibrate when you are eating too quickly, theoretically to make you slow down. All that would make me do is eat with my hands, Filipino style!
  • Weird. The PSiO Booster glasses enhance your viewing experience by “stimulating the brain with lights and sounds”???

#sports

• The spread offense in the NFL. A couple years ago, ESPiN “experts” said that the college spread offense would never work in the NFL. Surprise, surprise. Just a reminder: the New England Patriots and Green Bay Packers have been using elements of the “college spread offense” for years now. Some people confuse the wildcat with the spread, but they are not the same thing. Today, the San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Washington Redskins, and Carolina Panthers use the spread extensively, and three of those teams made it into the playoffs! As mentioned earlier, the New England Patriots and Green Bay Packers use elements of the spread in their pro-style offense. The spread is here to stay for a while. I am not saying it is the only offense that should be used in the NFL, but I am saying that as long as quarterbacks are as mobile as they are now, it makes sense to fold their skills into the numbers game using the spread. Evolve the play-action fake into the zone-read, but put that fake at the point of attack where the linebackers are reading the offense, force good players out of position, and let the numbers work in favor of the offense. In the standard pro-style offense, the QB does not need to be accounted for at the point of attack 2-5 seconds after the snap–he will either hand off to the RB, throw to the WR, or scamper for 5-10 yards before the linebackers tackle him. In the spread, that QB is still part of the numbers equation because 2-5 seconds after the snap he is still running with the RB and reading the linebacker, or he has fooled the linebackers and defensive ends out of position and will now take an additional 2-3 seconds for the deep pass or will run through the empty defensive backfield for 10-20 yards.
• The #9/#10 11-2 Florida Gators ended the 2012 season with a loss in the Sugar Bowl. Although the loss is disappointing, it is understandable. The Gators were up against a Gator legend, now Louisville head coach Charlie Strong. The players were a bit underwhelmed in having to play in the Sugar Bowl, just as Alabama was deflated years ago after losing to Florida in the SEC championship and having to play Utah (a team that ran the same offense as the Gator team that beat them only a month earlier). To be honest, I am quite happy with the overall season. The Gators are ahead of schedule with their return to prominence, and they made it this far without an offense to speak of. Part of that problem may be due to the Gators losing their wide receiver coach before the season. The problem area this year was that the receivers were neither getting open nor catching the passes that him them in the hands. These receivers had been recruited under Urban Meyer’s staff (some even recruited by Charlie Strong) as blockers or speed flankers, not primary pass catchers. The Gators may have ended the season with a top-five defense, but they have once again ended up with a bottom-five offense.

Related articles

• Week 1 of 213 (May 6, 2012)
• Week 2 of 213 (May 13, 2012)
• …
• Week 34 of 213 (December 31, 2012)

Cubicle Warrior’s Preview of the 2013 Sugar Bowl: #3 Florida Gators vs. #22 Louisville Cardinals

Sugar Bowl 2013: Florida vs Louisville

• Sugar Bowl 2013: #3 Florida Gators (11-1, 7-1 SEC) versus #21 Louisville Cardinals (10-2, 5-2 Big East). Allstate Sugar Bowl, Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana.  January 2, 2013 at 7:30 PM CST. Betting line: -13.5, Florida. The Gators look to assert their return to power. After their 24-17 Taxslayer.com Gator Bowl victory over “the team up North”, Gator head coach Will Muschamp rallied his troops in the locker room and told them that he does not want them to forget the frustrations of losing games they should have won. Muschamp used that pain of losing to focus the Gators–”[the Florida Gators] are not a 7-6 program”. Coach Muschamp reinvigorated the mighty Gators as they laid waste to four BCS top ten teams. All that stands before them and validation of their return to power are the Louisville Cardinals, led by former Gator coach Charlie Strong. 
• Gator scouting report: The mighty Gators have turned around from 3-5 in the SEC to 7-1 in year 2 of the Muschamp Era. The Gators were just one fumble away from playing for the SEC title and possibly the national title. Look for the Gators to come out fired up. The Gators will swamp the Cardinals with the nation’s #3 defense, a defense that only yields 12.9 points per game. They also bring in the #35 rushing offense in the nation, with 194.1 yards per game. The Gator winning formula is simple: run left, run right, run middle… make field goals. with the #3 kicker in the nation… flip the field with #6 punter in the nation… stuff the run with the #6 run defense in the nation… and enforce the #1 “no fly zone” this side of the Middle Eastern war zones.
• Key players to watch: RB Mike Gillislee – the workhorse of the Gator rushing attack also has Matt Jones to back him up, DB Matt Elam – this All American hard hitter wants to put someone to sleep.
  • Passing: Jeff Driskel - 140-216, 1471 yds, 11 tds (#56 in FBS pass efficiency, #96 total offense)
  • Rushing: Mike Gillislee - 235 car, 1104 yds, 10 tds (#42 in FBS)
  • Receiving: Jordan Reed - 44 rec, 552 yds, 3 tds (NR in FBS)
  • Tackles: Josh Evans – 6.58 tackles per game (34 assists, 45 solo, 4 TFL, 2 sacks)
  • Tackles for loss: Shariff Floyd – 0.92 per game (#99 in FBS)
  • Interceptions: Matt Elam – 0.33 per game (#30 in FBS), Jaylen Watkins – 0.25 per game (#78)
• Gator bait scouting report: Former Gator defensive coordinator and head coach during the 2004 Peach Bowl, Charlie Strong, will have his work cut out for him. His number one offensive weapon, quarterback Teddy Bridgewater needs to heal from his ankle injury, or at least close enough to give his Cardinals a fighting chance against the Gators. The Cardinals have the nation’s #19 pass defense, but that will not help much against the run-happy Gators who bring in the #119 pass offense. The Cardinals #52 run defense yields over 150 yards per game. The passing offense is a very respectable #24 in the nation, but it is going up against the Gator no fly zone. On offense, the Cardinals look like Tennessee, at least in terms of statistical rankings. In terms of style of play, the Cardinals offense will look somewhat like a cross between FSU and TAMU. On defense, the Cardinals look like TAMU, at least in terms of statistical rankings. In terms of style of play, I would say that the Cardinals look like FSU on defense.
• Key Gator bait to watch: QB Teddy Bridgewater and KR/CB Adrian Bushell. Adrian was part of the vaunted 2008 Gator recruiting class before he transferred to Charleston Southern, then to Louisville to rejoin the coach that recruited him. He was also roommates with Gator WR Frankie Hammond, Jr. Teddy went to football camp with Gator QB Jeff Driskel. In camp, they both spoke of being Gator fans as kids.
  • Passing: Bridgewater - 267-387, 3452 yds, 25 tds (#8 in FBS, #25 total offense)
  • Rushing: Jeremy Wright - 186 car, 740 yds, 9 tds; Senorise Perry - 135 car, 739 yds, 11 tds
  • Receiving: Devante Parker - 38 rec, 712 yds, 9 tds (#99 rec per game); Damian Copeland – 48 rec, 597 yds, 1 td; Eli Rogers – 42 rec, 443 yds, 4 tds
  • Tackles – Preston Brown (#84 in FBS); Calvin Pryor (#97 in FBS)
  • Kick returns – Adrian Bushell (19.59 ypa, #89 in FBS)
• By the numbers:
  • Gators rushing offense vs Cardinals rushing defense: 194 ypg (#35) vs 151 ypg (#50). +Gators
  • Gators passing offense vs Cardinals passing defense: 144 ypg (#114) vs 127 ypg (#49). +Cardinals
  • Gators scoring offense vs Cardinals scoring defense: 27 ppg (#74) vs 24 ppg (#36). +Cardinals
  • Gators rushing defense vs Cardinals rushing offense: 97 ypg (#6) vs 127 ypg (#98). ++Gators
  • Gators passing defense vs Cardinals passing offense: 92 ypg (#1) vs 298 ypg (#23). ++Gators
  • Gators scoring defense vs Cardinals scoring offense: 13 ppg (#3) vs 31 ppg (#49). ++Gators
  • Gators turnover margin vs Cardinals turnover margin: 1.42 TPG (#5) vs 0.75 TPG (#21). +Gators
  • Gators X-factor vs Cardinals X-factor: Gators line of scrimmage vs Cardinals discipline. +push
• Prediction: This will be a first-half scoring game as both defenses will clamp down in the second half. If the Gators can beat down the Cardinals in the trenches on both sides of the ball, the Cardinals may not score in the second half. 21-10, Gators. If you are betting on the game, I would not bet on the spread. There is a chance that the Cardinals can pull off the upset, but it would depend on the Gators committing turnovers.
• In summary: the Gators specialize in rushing AND passing defense, which makes them an elite scoring defense. The Gators have handled similar type teams. The X-factor will be who plays more disciplined ball, since it is a foregone conclusion that Florida will own the line of scrimmage.
• Postscript: Congratulations to the Louisville Cardinals, winners of the 2013 All-State Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, 33-23. The Cardinals capitalized on a Gator turnover just 15 seconds into the game when Driskel’s pass bounced out of Quinton Dunbar’s hands on the first pass of the game. The game was all downhill from there. The Gators had no answer for Bridgewater, and their run defense failed them at pivotal moments.
  • First downs: 23-17, Louisville
  • Total yards: 336-286 yds, Louisville
  • Passing: 266-175 yds, Louisville
  • Rushing: 70-111, Florida
  • Penalties: 2/25-9/98, Louisville
  • Turnovers: 1-3, Louisville
  • TOP: 35:37-24:23, Louisville
• Final note: Yes, it sucks to lose big games, but the Gators finished the season 11-2 and probably were underwhelmed at being left out of the national title game (not that they would have fared much better against a top-five BCS team).

Week 34 of 213: He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

Cubicle Warrior’s blog, week 32 of 213 (1,223 more days to military retirement). This week’s quote comes from Epictetus, a Greek philosopher that believed that suffering came trying to control the uncontrollable, that individuals are responsible for their own actions through self-discipline, and that it is man’s duty to care for fellow man. In 2012, I wasted a lot of time complaining about things that I did not have, but overlooked the great things that I do have.

He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.

– Epictetus

 

#random

• My new year’s resolutions:
  • Get back to running 20 miles per week
  • Spend less time on Facebook
  • Spend more time with my computer nerd hobbies
  • Spend time converting my ninja monkeys into ninja monkey computer nerds
  • Spend more time with my Honey Bunny!
• Cubicle Warrior’s review of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey to Jar Jar Bink’s House, part 1 of 3.
  • A long time ago (between the dawn of the faerie and the dominion of men), in a galaxy far, far away (somewhere between the Shire and The Lonely Mountain)…At face value, “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Three Part Journey That Could Have Been Done In One ****ing Movie If Peter Jackson Were Not a Greedy Fat***” (TH:AUTPJTCHBDIOFMIPJWNAGF) is a delightful tale of Bilbo Baggins‘ resplendent trip outside the warm and cozy confines of Bag’s End to help the Dwarves reclaim their lost home under Lonely Mountain–a voyage replete with visually stunning views of Rivendell, the Misty Mountains, and the Goblin kingdom. [READ MORE]…
  • If you do not like my review of the movie, then check out my buddy’s more serious critique [READ MORE]…
  • If you failed to take your Adderol or Ritalin, then check out the 3-minute musical version of the Hobbit: 

#foodspotting

#technology

Facebook vs Google+

• I am falling more in love with Google+ each day. Eventually I would like to transition off of Facebook and stick to Google+. My plan is to transition in three phases:
  1. Prune and tune friends.
  2. Lock photo albums and delete as much as possible.
  3. Trial phase without Facebook.
• In a typical Facebook experience, I spend 25% of my time culling through under-informed, uninformed, or downright demented political posts and pointless re-posts. I spend about 50% of my time going through notifications, and another 25% blocking game requests. I have had enough. With Google+, I can tune my social networking experience to be a much more rewarding use of my free time. On Google+, I have had meaningful discussions on quantum physics, SEC football, NFL football, and random math problems. I do not get these kind of interactions on Facebook, so it is time to take my social networking elsewhere for now.
• I experimented with Google Blogger and decided that I will stick with WordPress. WordPress is quite powerful and is loaded with a plethora of automated blogging utilities.
• I have learned a lot about YouTubing from my son. I now waste entirely too much time on “How It Should Have Ended (HISHE)“, “musical versions of my favorite movies“, and “Cinema Sins“.

#sports

UFC 155: Cain’s Revenge!

• UFC 155: Dos Santos – Velasquez 2. MGM Grand Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada. Saturday, December 29, 2012. Facebook fights start at 3:30 PM PST, FX fights start at 5:00 PM PST, and PPV fights start at 7:00 PM. [READ MORE]… I went 1-2 with the Facebook prelim picks, 3-1 with the FX undercard picks, and 1-4 in the main card picks.

Sugar Bowl 2013: Florida vs Louisville

• Sugar Bowl 2013: #3 Florida Gators (11-1, 7-1 SEC) versus #21 Louisville Cardinals (10-2, 5-2 Big East). Allstate Sugar Bowl, Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana.  January 2, 2013 at 7:30 PM CST. Betting line: -13.5, Florida. The Gators look to assert their return to power. After their 24-17 Taxslayer.com Gator Bowl victory over “the team up North”, Gator head coach Will Muschamp rallied his troops in the locker room and told them that he does not want them to forget the frustrations of losing games they should have won. Muschamp used that pain of losing to focus the Gators–”[the Florida Gators] are not a 7-6 program”. Coach Muschamp reinvigorated the mighty Gators as they laid waste to four BCS top ten teams. All that stands before them and validation of their return to power are the Louisville Cardinals, led by former Gator coach Charlie Strong.Gator scouting report: The mighty Gators have turned around from 3-5 in the SEC to 7-1 in year 2 of the Muschamp Era. The Gators were just one fumble away from playing for the SEC title and possibly the national title. Look for the Gators to come out fired up. The Gators will swamp the Cardinals with the nation’s #3 defense, a defense that only yields 12.9 points per game. They also bring in the #35 rushing offense in the nation, with 194.1 yards per game. The Gator winning formula is simple: run left, run right, run middle… make field goals. with the #3 kicker in the nation… flip the field with #6 punter in the nation… stuff the run with the #6 run defense in the nation… and enforce the #1 “no fly zone” this side of the Middle Eastern war zones. Key players to watch: RB Mike Gillislee – the workhorse of the Gator rushing attack also has Matt Jones to back him up, DB Matt Elam – this All American hard hitter wants to put someone to sleep,Gator bait scouting report: Former Gator defensive coordinator and head coach during the 2004 Peach Bowl, Charlie Strong, will have his work cut out for him. His number one offensive weapon, quarterback Teddy Bridgewater needs to heal from his ankle injury, or at least close enough to give his Cardinals a fighting chance against the Gators. The Cardinals have the nation’s #19 pass defense, but that will not help much against the run-happy Gators who bring in the #119 pass offense. The Cardinals #52 run defense yields over 150 yards per game. The passing offense is a very respectable #24 in the nation, but it is going up against the Gator no fly zone. Key Gator bait to watch: QB Teddy Bridgewater and CB Adrian Bushell. Adrian was part of the vaunted 2008 Gator recruiting class before he transferred to Charleston Southern, then to Louisville to rejoin the coach that recruited him.

  Prediction: This will be a first-half scoring game as both defenses will clamp down in the second half. If the Gators can beat down the Cardinals in the trenches on both sides of the ball, the Cardinals may not score in the second half. 21-10, Gators. By the numbers:

  • Gators rushing offense vs Cardinals rushing defense: 194 ypg (#35) vs 151 ypg (#50). +Gators
  • Gators passing offense vs Cardinals passing defense: 144 ypg (#114) vs 127 ypg (#49). +Cardinals
  • Gators scoring offense vs Cardinals scoring defense: 27 ppg (#74) vs 24 ppg (#36). +Cardinals
  • Gators rushing defense vs Cardinals rushing offense: 97 ypg (#6) vs 127 ypg (#98). ++Gators
  • Gators passing defense vs Cardinals passing offense: 92 ypg (#1) vs 298 ypg (#23). ++Gators
  • Gators scoring defense vs Cardinals scoring offense: 13 ppg (#3) vs 31 ppg (#49). ++Gators
  • Gators turnover margin vs Cardinals turnover margin: 1.42 TPG (#5) vs 0.75 TPG (#21). +Gators
  • Gators X-factor vs Cardinals X-factor: Gators line of scrimmage vs Cardinals discipline. +push

  On offense, the Cardinals look like Tennessee, at least in terms of statistical rankings. In terms of style of play, the Cardinals offense will look somewhat like a cross between FSU and TAMU. On defense, the Cardinals look like TAMU, at least in terms of statistical rankings. In terms of style of play, I would say that the Cardinals look like FSU on defense.
  In summary: the Gators specialize in rushing AND passing defense, which makes them an elite scoring defense. The Gators have handled similar type teams. The X-factor will be who plays more disciplined ball, since it is a foregone conclusion that Florida will own the line of scrimmage.

Related articles

• Week 1 of 213 (May 6, 2012)
• Week 2 of 213 (May 13, 2012)
• …
• Week 31 of 213 (December 10, 2012)

Florida Gators: Where to go from here?

The Florida Gators and the Georgia Bulldogs stunk up Jacksonville’s Everbank Field in this edition of the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party. The Gators lost a very ugly match, 9-17, in a game where neither team deserved the win, but they had to award a victory to one of these teams. If either of these teams represent the best of the SEC East, then SEC Commissioner Mike Slive should cancel the SEC Championship game and award the SEC West Division Champion the title for the entire conference. In early December, Georgia will likely get pounded in the conference championship game and give Alabama practice against either Kansas State or Oregon for the BCS title.

As for the Gators, where do they go from here? I am comfortable with assuming the next “big rock” in the road is FSU. BCS bowl selection committees put extra weighting factor on winning the last game of the season, which allows a team like Florida to move around from as “low” as Outback Bowl to as “high” as Sugar Bowl.

Here are the bowl predictions from multiple sources:

• SEC #5 vs ACC #2: Chick-fil-A Bowl
  • CBS: Clemson vs. Mississippi State
  • ESPN-Schlabach: Clemson vs. Texas A&M
  • ESPN-Edwards: Clemson vs. Mississippi State
  • Scout: Clemson vs. Mississippi State
  • USA Today-Myerberg: Clemson vs. Texas A&M
  • USA Today-Smith: Clemson vs. Mississippi State
• SEC #3 or #4 vs B1G #3: Outback Bowl (SEC East preference)
  • CBS: South Carolina vs. Wisconsin
  • ESPN-Schlabach: Nebraska vs. Mississippi State
  • ESPN-Edwards: Nebraska vs. Georgia
  • Scout: Nebraska vs. South Carolina
  • USA Today-Myerberg: Florida vs. Nebraska
  • USA Today-Smith: Nebraska vs. South Carolina
• SEC #3 or #4 vs Big 12 #2: Cotton Bowl (SEC West preference)
  • CBS: LSU vs. Oklahoma
  • ESPN-Schlabach: Texas Tech vs. LSU
  • ESPN-Edwards: Oklahoma State vs. LSU
  • Scout: Texas Tech vs. LSU
  • USA Today-Myerberg: Texas vs. South Carolina
  • USA Today-Smith: West Virginia vs. LSU
• SEC #2 vs B1G #2: Capital One Bowl
  • CBS: Georgia vs. Michigan
  • ESPN-Schlabach: Wisconsin vs. Georgia
  • ESPN-Edwards: Florida vs. Michigan
  • Scout: Georgia vs. Michigan
  • USA Today-Myerberg: Georgia vs. Michigan
  • USA Today-Smith: Georgia vs. Michigan
• BCS (SEC tie-in) vs BCS: Sugar Bowl
  • CBS: Florida vs. Louisville
  • ESPN-Schlabach: Florida vs. USC
  • ESPN-Edwards: South Carolina vs Oklahoma
  • Scout: Florida vs. Oklahoma
  • USA Today-Myerberg: LSU vs. Oklahoma
  • USA Today-Smith: Florida vs. Oklahoma

The overwhelming opinion seems to be that Florida will survive and get to the Sugar Bowl. Should the Gators falter against FSU, then the Gators would wind up in the Capital One or the Outback.

Personally, I see the Gators rallying and making it to the Sugar Bowl. Even the paid sports pundits seem to agree that Georgia did not earn the BCS invitation over Florida. One pundit even picked South Carolina over Georgia, should the BCS selection committee get to pick by hand. Either scenario–Sugar Bowl or Capitol One Bowl–sits well with me. Just a few weeks ago I did not foresee my Gators finishing better than 7-5 or 8-4. Barring a major upset, the Gators will finish 11-1 or 10-2. Any Gator fan should be proud of that in Coach Will Muschamp’s second year.

29 Days to Gator Football – #29 Mike Peterson (’95-’98)

Porter Michael Peterson was born in Gainesville, Florida. He played linebacker for Steve Spurrier from 1995 to 1998, where he was a member of the 1996 Bowl Alliance national championship team that defeated the ‘Semi ‘Noles 52-20 in the Sugar Bowl. In his Gator career he posted 249 tackles, 3 forces fumbles, 13 tackles for loss, and 8.5 sacks. He was voted 1st-team All-SEC and team MVP in his senior year. In 2011 he was inducted in the University of Florida Athletic Association Hall of Fame as a Gator Great.

69 Days to Gator Football

69 – Zach Piller, T (1996-98)

Zachary Paul Piller of St. Petersburg, Florida, spent his freshman year at Georgia Tech in 1995 before making the smart move and transferring to the University of Florida to play for Steve Spurrier. He was a pivotal member of the 1996 Sugar Bowl and national champion team, as well as first team All-SEC and team captain in 1998.

71 Days to Gator Football

71 – Jeff Mitchell, C (1992-96)

Jeffrey Clay Mitchell, like most people with a middle name of “Clay”, was born in Dallas, Texas. Lucky for him, his parents moved him to Clearwater, Florida, where he played defensive tackle in high school, earned a lot of high school awards, and played college football under Steve Spurrier. After being redshirted his freshman year, he was the starting center for 3 straight years. He was fortunate to play on four consecutive SEC champion teams. In 1995, Mitchell was selected to the All-SEC 1^st-team. He was a pivotal member of the 1996 national title team that averaged 503.9 yards of offense per game. Unfortunately, an injury ended his season early and he didn’t get a chance to play in the 1997 Sugar Bowl. Jeff went on to play eight years of NFL football.

Change of Command in the Gator Nation

The Gator Nation is swarming with rumors about the next Gator Head Ball Coach (HBC). Athletic Director Jeremy Foley has stated that it will take about two weeks to secure a replacement. Rather than spout out my personal favorite, I will list all the viable candidates I can think of from A-Z and grade them on my personal, Cubicle Warrior scale. My grades are independent of the likelihood of that coach coming to Gainesville. I have no say on the matter, so I will only weigh in on whom I think would be a good fit.

Steve Addazio, Florida (AHC, OC, OL Coach) – B. Yes, I give him a higher grade than most. Addazio does not know Xs and Os, but he knows recruiting and he could keep the ship afloat. He would probably promote Loeffler or Azzanni to OC and there would be little difference between the 2010 and 2011 teams. That could be bad, but it could be good as well. I am not as quick as most others to say that the 2010 team sucked and we should delete this year from the history books. It is still a talented team that just needs to find its way. The Dazzler may “suck” as OC, but the Sugar Bowl showed he could function well as HC as long as he delegated the Xs and Os. I doubt Jeremy Foley offers the job to Addazio, since this is a high pressure job better suited for someone with head coaching experience.

Zach Azzanni, Florida (WR Coach). B-. Sure, he is the de facto offensive co-coordinator for Florida, but he lacks HC experience. He does have a lot of experience with Meyer, having served with him at Bowling Green. I like this guy a lot and I hope he lands a good job as OC somewhere, but I doubt it will be at Florida.

Kerwin Bell, Jacksonville State (HC, OC) – A-. What he lacks in Tier 1 HC experience he makes up for in Gator Pride, Gator ties, and mojo. What are really after is mojo. Urban Meyer had it. Steve Spurrier had it. Bell turned a nobody Jax State into a lower division powerhouse, going 9-4 and earning a share of the Pioneer League championship. Why not come home, Coach Bell? On a side note, I grew up watching Kerwin as a Gator QB in the 1980s and as Orlando Predators QB in the WLAF. He also has playing experience in the CFL, which may have helped him develop a unique pro-set/spread hybrid. Sounds like the offense that Meyer tried to install for John Brantley. This is becoming my favorite option, but it may not be the wisest option for Jeremy Foley. This is why he gets paid the big bucks.

Gene Chizik, Auburn (HC) – A+. He graduated from UF in the 1980s, but he would not leave Auburn when they are on the cusp of building a new orange and blue dynasty. He could change his mind if Auburn winds up getting NCAA sanctions between now and New Year’s.

Stan Drayton, Florida (RB Coach) – C. He is too low on the Meyer pecking order.

Larry Fedora, Southern Miss (HC) – D. He was an OC for Ron Zook. Need I say more? Don’t like it.

Billy Gonzales, LSU (WR Coach) – C. He left after frustration over not being promoted within Meyer’s system. He is good, but not good enough to be HC of the Gators.

Jon Gruden (ESPN) – A. Sure. It would be nice, but I doubt Chuckie leaves his cushy job in the office for the Swamp. He knows how to win, but this is a high stress job close to his Florida home. Second thoughts, Chuckie?

Jim Harbaugh, Stanford (HC) – A. Everybody wants Harbaugh. It won’t happen. Florida is too far from his home. It won’t happen.

Chuck Heater, Florida (DC) – C+. Other than Addazio, Heater is the only one left from Meyer’s original staff. He has performed well during all this turnover and he deserves a good job, but it won’t be as HC–at least not at Florida.

John Hevesy, Mississippi State (OL and Running Game). B+. He served well under Meyer, but he would work better in tandem with Dan Mullen. Nope.

Brady Hoke, San Diego State (HC) – B-. He knows Bernie Machen. His brother coached for Spurrier. He is up-and-coming. It won’t happen.

Dana Holgorsen, Oklahoma State (OC) – A. Rumor has it that he has been talking to UF about a job. He vehemently denied talking to UF about an OC job. Perhaps he was interviewing for the HC job? Brilliant offensive mind. His coaching will help John Brantley immensely. There are question marks on his ability to HC and gather a coaching staff. I like this option.

Brian Kelly, Notre Dame (HC) – B. He was okay with talent at Cincinnati and Notre Dame. Imagine what he could do at Florida with this talent.

Chip Kelly, Oregon (HC) – A+. Chip runs an offense similar to Florida’s. This guy is rather busy now for an interview, so this won’t happen. Florida could pay him more, but Chip Kelly is a stand-up guy that would not abandon Oregon now. He really is a nice guy and he deserves a chance to build up the Oregon dynasty. As much as I like the guy, I think he should stay in Oregon.

Mike Leach, CBS College Sports – A. He certainly would boost the Florida offense, but most of his former coaches are gone now and I have seen no signs that Leach is interested in coaching anytime soon. He would be good, but this probably will not happen.

Scot Loeffler, Florida (QB Coach) – A-. I actually like him a lot, but more as OC than as HC. He helped put together a great game plan at the Sugar Bowl last year, and he has coached some great QBs, but I doubt he has enough experience now to be the head Gator. I hope this guy lands a good job as an OC somewhere.

Gus Malzhan, Auburn (OC) – A. He runs a similar spread as Meyer. Brantley would struggle mightily under Malzahn, but a dual-threat QB would be great. I have mixed feelings on this guy. Is he that good, or is Cam Newton that good? Either way, he turned Cam into something that Dan Mullen could not. I would welcome him to Gainesville.

Greg Mattison, Baltimore Ravens (DC) – A+. He lacks HC experience, but he has been exposed to some great HCs and could have learned a lot. He worked under Urban Meyer, including the 2006 National Championship team. He would be a nice change from our normally offensive-mind coaches, but he would need to bring a good offense or keep the status quo. I like this option as long as Addazio goes.

Urban Meyer, Florida (HC) – A+++. Come baaaaaaaack! Just kidding. I do understand his reasons, and I wish him the best. I was not on the “Fire Coach Meyer” bandwagon and I thought he would come back strong in 2011. This was a total shock to everyone, but I commend him for making a decision that was best for himself and his family. Heck, if I got his paycheck, I would quit and spend time with my family as well.

Dan Mullen, Mississippi State (HC) – A. Not an A+. This is everyone’s obvious choice. Since there are a million blogs touting this guy I will just leave my assessment as such: “No.”

Will Muschamp, Texas (DC) – A-. I am sure he is tired of being referred to as Mack Brown’s replacement-in-waiting. He is the only Texas coach I would consider, because he has real experience. In the SEC. He will probably stay with the Short Horns.

Gary Patterson, TCU (HC) – A. If it were not for TCU moving to a BCS AQ division, he would be a hands-on favorite to jump ship for a BCS AQ team loaded with talent. The latest move pretty much obligates Patterson to build the TCU empire.

Chris Petersen, Boise State (HC) – A. Certainly a Gator fan favorite, Petersen would not even have to change his colors. I would ask that he not paint our field blue. One day he will get tired of winning a lot of games but being excluded from the Big Dance, but I think he is stubbornly stuck to BS U. Also, he is waaaay too introverted to be the Florida HBC. I like him, but I do not see him leaving. He is a family guy, and he can see what happened to the last family guy that moved to Florida.

Bobby Petrino, Arkansas (HC) – A. Yeah, he would do well here. I am tired of seeing his name on these lists. He would be a flight risk–win a few seasons and leave. Besides, Arkansas will pony up cash to keep him. Petrino even signed a contract extension recently. No dice.

Gary Pinkel, Missouri (HC) – B+. He can win with nobodies. He would do well with these recruits. I do not know much about the guy, but he pops up on everyone else’s radar so I gave him a cursory look. He would do well, but not as well as the ones I have personally rated as an A.

Brian Scottenheimer, Jets (OC) – A-. He walked on as a QB under Spurrier. This guy is more of an NFL coach. Rumor has it that Foley is not going after an NFL coach.

Mike Shanahan, Redskins (HC) – A+. He was the Gator OC about a hundred years ago. He would work well here, but we can’t pay him enough, and he is old enough to be everyone’s grandfather, maybe great-grandfather. Speaking of being old, don’t think Kyle Shanahan will come here either. He is not much older than some of the players on the team.

Bob Stoops, Oklahoma (OC) – A+. Bobby was a DC on the 1996 Gator’s national championship team. He has a home near G’ville, but he also has a mansion in Norman. He has been turned down twice by Florida, so I don’t see him leaving Oklahoma. I cannot recall the last time I saw a coach lateral directly from a Tier 1 school to another Tier 1 school, at least not cleanly.

Charlie Strong, Louisville (HC) – A-. Sure, he has strong Gator ties as a graduate assistant at UF in the 1980s and as assistant in the 1990s and 2000s, but Louisville fits him just fine.

Kevin Sumlin, Houston (HC) – B+. Nice offense, and nice head coaching. He has impressed Jeremy Foley. I don’t see it happening.

Kyle Whittingham, Utah (HC) – A+. Former DC under Meyer at Utah. He knows how to take over for Meyer. He has a strong background in defense, and he knows some of the current Gator staff. Nice fit. I would take him in a heartbeat as my second choice.

Ron Zook, Illinois (HC) – Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha! Ha.

More than likely Bob Stoops, Chris Petersen, and Kyle Whittingham are atop the list. More than likely Foley’s top picks will refuse for one reason or another and we will get a second-tier choice. With all the rumors flying around, it is anybody’s guess as to whom that might be.

Before I sign off, I do want to say that I wish Urban Meyer the best in all his future endeavors. He has served the Gator Nation well and he deserves our respect and our support as he transitions into the next phase of his life. Go Gators!